At the YMCA, we have a team of dedicated, passionate and caring staff and volunteers who work with individuals every day to prevent inactivity, social isolation and the effects of poverty. Understanding that we all have a role to play to help change lives for the better, our staff are also asked each year to give. We are so grateful that 100% of the Y’s leadership and 82% of our staff make a personal gift.
One of our long-serving staff members of 28 years, Chuck Henderson, not only ensures the inner workings of the Kelowna Family YMCA are well maintained, but he and his wife Denise also give generously to ensure every child has an equal opportunity to participate in Y programs.
“We donate because we know the importance of keeping children healthy and active,” says Chuck, Kelowna Family Y Facility Operations Manager. “Denise and I were fortunate enough to have the means to enroll our children in sports that kept them active, connected and helped shape their lives. We feel all children should have that opportunity but the sad reality is that many families don’t have the ability to fund extra circular activities for their children, and some can go down the wrong path. We hope to help support as many families as we are able with our contributions.”
Denise and Chuck’s sister Therese have also rallied their work colleagues over the years at Capri Insurance and Graham Construction to ride in the YMCA’s Cycle for Strong Kids event and have collectively raised thousands though their participation.